Cherreads

Chapter 64 - Chapter 64

The Emperor was staring at me intently.

"We conducted countless studies to determine the benefits of Salie root, and eventually developed this medicinal caramel. It's my rare masterpiece."

Of course, it was a joke. Heaven knew, the earth knew, Dominic knew, and I knew that I had crammed this information just before coming here. But you have to make a splash like this to increase your credibility! I looked at the Emperor with sincere and trusting eyes. The Emperor should not know Meldenik's reputation as a 'minus hand' (meaning, someone with bad luck or who fails at business)!

"I see."

Fortunately, the Emperor was not suspicious. He waved his hand at the servant who was always waiting by my side. The servant took a quick step backward.

"How long will it take?"

"Yes?" I met the Emperor's slightly shaken pupils.

What do you mean?

When his eyes met mine, the Emperor suddenly returned to an expressionless face. It was a pretty good poker face. Except that I had caught him looking at his seemingly unstable eyes for about three seconds.

He raised one hand and covered his mouth so that his sons wouldn't read his lips, and muttered in a low voice, "…How long does it take for the effect to take effect?"

It seemed that the Emperor had begun to be swayed. At this point, was it a mission to cheat and scam, complete?

"Ten minutes, maybe a day at the latest."

Sure enough, the Emperor raised his hand on the table and clenched his fist. A fist like a bun moved on the table.

"Indeed… I already felt like I was feeling it. It's strange. Even magic tools don't detect it at all, but I can't believe I have such a powerful sensation."

That one shot was a great success. You don't need to have a perfect crush (meaning, perfect favorability).

Hey, you gave me a pretty useful gift.

It was good!

"I'm glad it helped." I smiled at him, raising the corners of my mouth. A faint smile appeared on the Emperor's lips. It was a secret yet faint bond.

And the two princes, Cassian and Axion, who did not hear the whisper properly, looked at us with puzzled eyes.

"What do you feel?" The Emperor looked at his two sons and changed the subject hastily, but somewhat sadly. "It's a feeling of memories. Axion, when I was the only one doing it, I used to eat caramel like this."

Like a child, Axion immediately began to focus on the changed topic. "Huh? I saw it at the museum, but did Your Majesty try it?"

Don't keep emphasizing that you're old, Axion!

Despite Prince Axion's clear jab, the Emperor nodded as if he was familiar with it. I felt sorry for something…

"Your Majesty did it, right?"

"Yes. You made it by hand. I could only eat two a day. The court said that if you eat too much, your teeth will rot."

"I'll secretly hide it and eat it!" Axion chuckled.

The Emperor also nodded. His gaze, as if immersed in memories, wandered in the air.

"It's quite good in many ways. It's my favorite gift."

I bowed my head at the unconcealable smile on the Emperor's warm face.

"That's a great honor."

"If you want something, let me know."

Finally, the time had come for a return gift. I smiled faintly and tilted my head. This was the time for the 'gift method' that I was aiming for.

The gift law was one of the unwritten laws from a long time ago. When a nobleman presented a gift to the imperial family, including the Emperor, he would receive a corresponding price. This law, which emphasized the nobility and generosity of the imperial family, disappeared as the power of the nobility became stronger.

However, it was an exception in the original work.

In the original work, Sheria benefited from the gift method. All the gifts that the royal family gave to Sheria were good.

I was going to use the gift method boldly before Sheria.

It's okay to take this much.

"I want to have Your Majesty alone for a while."

"Do you want to give me some time?"

It may seem flattering, and it may seem irreverent. However, when the caramel was still in effect, the Emperor had to be coaxed. In a non-threatening and extremely stealthy way. In a way that does not arouse his vigilance.

"Yes, five minutes is enough."

It took just five minutes to show the petitions of the merchants defending the business district of Academy Alley and to inform the Emperor of the atrocities of the Duchess of Babyloa.

Because I know roughly what kind of character the Emperor is.

He will never refuse the card I offer.

"The Emperor must also need a hand to keep the Duke of Babyloa in check."

The Emperor needed a legal and reasonable opportunity to protect the imperial power and win the hearts of the people. And I wanted to protect my small and precious stationery store against the Duchess of Babyloa, the Duke of Babyloa, and the Duke of Hesmann, who threatened the business district of the alley. Our interests would be aligned.

"Duchess of Babyloa, get ready to get a slap in the back of the head somewhere."

Duchess of Babyloa. The golden hand of business with Sheria, the queen of socialites and her daughter. An arrogant woman who had never been defeated by Meldenik. She had said, 'Meldenik Babyloa, you can't beat me even if you die and wake up,' and trampled on all the business that Meldenik had done.

But from now on, or even from today, everything would change.

The Emperor, who was looking at my serious eyes, chewed and swallowed the caramel, and said solemnly, "I will allow it."

After the Emperor's words, the food began to come out one by one. Appetizers were served on the table, and then the dishes began to be served one by one.

I smiled happily as I sliced the small cutlets that came out as a side dish for the main course.

It's been a long time since I've had a full-fledged course meal like this!

Looking at all the luxurious dinners in front of me, I began to savor and enjoy the food in my mouth.

"Mel, eat a lot!" Axion, whose plump cheeks were flushed, stared at me with round eyes like a cute baby puppy.

I looked at Axion and winked. "Yes, I will."

Axion's cheeks were dyed a pink hue warmer than the sun. The boy openly choked with the water next to me and said, "You know, brother, Your Majesty!"

"Axion. Keep your voice low when you eat."

Axion put down the glass of water and murmured, "Yes! It's an important story."

Apparently, as these were the words of the youngest prince he cherished, the Emperor seemed to be willing to listen seriously. He put down the silverware on either side of the napkin and nodded.

"If it's important, let's talk about it, Axion."

"Your Majesty, brother. Mel is amazing. You've never seen the soap bubbles Mel makes, have you? The flowers just fall from the sky! And what about the delicious food Mel makes? Cotton candy is huge!"

I was chewing on the cutlets in my mouth and trying to fill my stomach for the first time in a long time, but I almost bit my tongue instead of meat.

No, was that such an important thing to say?

Axion, who did not notice my serious desire to dissuade him, laughed excitedly and encouraged his brother and father to agree with him.

"You think so too, right?"

At Axion's words, the eyes of the Emperor and Prince Cassian immediately fell on me. The table became quiet in an instant. Apparently, this ice-breaking was my responsibility.

I placed the dishes diagonally on the plate and seriously retorted, "Thank you for the praise, but it's not that great."

"…I've also been to Lady Meldenik's stationery store." Prince Cassian said.

You're not swearing, are you?

In the gacha game earlier, I had caught some "Hogu" (a term for someone easily exploited) and taken some money, but I felt a pang of guilt.

The Emperor looked at Cassian with interest and asked, "What was it?"

"I saw a lot of beautiful play tools like dreams. It reminded me of the old days." With a face that always looked affectionate, sometimes even cold, he glanced at me and then looked away.

Axion continued, wanting to be part of this moment. "When I'm in it, I feel like I'm having a good dream!"

"It's a good dream…" The Emperor stroked his beard.

I glanced at Cassian. Did "Dreamcatcher" give him a critical hit?

You help me many times today.

However, I was also concerned about the adverse effects.

If you listen to a poetic analogy and defend me, the Emperor will watch me more closely.

You're not the character who defends anyone!

I felt the Emperor's gaze on my face and raised the corners of my mouth.

"Lady Meldenik."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I'm looking forward to the next five minutes of solitude."

The Emperor raised his eyebrows and took his hand back to the wine glass.

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